The Autocord is my choice for its great lens, the placement of the focus lever is much better ergonomically and the screen is brighter too if I'm not mistaken (my Autocord screen is brighter than my rolleiflex 2.8E). Just beware of the focus lever as it breaks easily.

The odds are that the meter doesn't work on the Autocord. And even if it does work, it doesn't "work." They use some sort of Light Value System or such. See those numbers on the front of the camera around the lens? If the meter says, oh, 12, you can set the shutter to 6 and the aperture to 6- add up to 12. Or shutter to 3 and aperture to 9- 12 again. Not very convenient. Maybe a little chart on the back will make it all work out smoothly eventually.

The nice thing is that the meter is completely separate from the rest of the camera so its function or non-functioning makes no difference to basic operation.

I would go for the Autocord if it is in good condition. One reason is that Rolleicords are all over the place and it won't be hard to find one in good condition another day. Autocords are not as easy to find. Another reason is that the ergonomics of the Autocords are simply better. Yet another reason, the focus system is pretty well bomb-proof (except for that lever- almost as if it was meant to be a fuse of some sort, breaking before anything else did?). Anyway, replacement levers are out there. But the chance of that lens going out of alignment is pretty slim. The Rolleicord focus system is more fragile and more in need of regular maintenance.

I've owned both as well. I would take the Autocord. The results would be similar but the focusing of the Minolta is really a great design feature- provided the lever is not broken. The Autocords also seem lighter but sturdier. Could be my imagination!

I don`t think the focus lever gets broken that often any more..you would need to drop the camera or walk into a solid object. I have seen one with a broken focus lever, sure it is something to consider but once aware then it should not be a problem.

I own both ,Minolta for lens, viewing screen , self timer, nice to use.
Rolleicord for, light weight, simple to use and not a lot to go wrong
But really both cameras in the end have lovely sharp lenses and you would not be able to pick which took what if you saw the end results. both are well built. The focus lever on the Autocords can be a probelm and are easily damaged plus the old meter by now will be a bit dodgy, the Rolleicords have probelms with sticky slow speeds and poor dark corners on the viewing screen but are more tha likely easier to find parts for .
I love using both of mine and my yashicmat 124g , my Autocord is the best built and feels solid.

Never owned the Minolta but just sold my Rioch Diacord L which appear very similar, love the focus, it had a bright viewfinder but no lines to help with composition. Have a Rolliecord III and a Yashica A, I like the yashica best. As Ive aged, eyes and not as steady I am having a lot of trouble with the tlr's.

It looks like about 7 out of 10 favor the Minolta so far.
That's interesting.
What about the Synchro Compur shutter vs the Seikosha MX shutter?
Is one easier or simpler to work on or more reliable than the other?

do all minolta autocords have meters? A guy was telling me recently that he had one for sale and it doesnt have a built in meter. True or False?

True or false about the guy's camera having a meter? Hmmm....

Most Autocords do not have meters. There was the selenium meter on the LVS. A CdS meter on late-model ones, one of the ugliest front-ends to a camera I have seen. Makes every Mars rover look like the cutest puppy you have ever seen in comparison.

It looks like about 7 out of 10 favor the Minolta so far.
That's interesting.
What about the Synchro Compur shutter vs the Seikosha MX shutter?
Is one easier or simpler to work on or more reliable than the other?

The Seikosha is simpler and easier to work on. Parts are going to be very sparse. Synchro-Compurs have a well-deserved reputation for gumming up over the decades, due to the amount of grease and oil they use. Both can be brought back to life by a competent repairman, except for parts issues (Compur parts are no longer being made).

The Xenar is indeed great -- I think it might be the best of all the Tessar designs for TLRs (including Tessars). The Rolleicord gets my vote here.

Ergonomically, the focusing lever on the Autocord is a little hard to get used to (and if you're groping for it when you're looking down through the finder it can get a little frustrating). Others have mentioned the weakness of the lever material also. With regard to the Autocord's wind lever, the folding handle isn't as secure as the fixed handle of the Rolleiflexes and Yashicamats (and the 10:00 starting position isn't as easy as the others, which are at 2:00). This is a minor complaint, to be sure.

I would go with the Rolleicord. Much easier to service overall. I don't find the compur shutter difficult to service at all. With old girls like this, you have to take that into account. The film transport etc. has a lot less parts that can go wrong. I love Rolleicords, they are my all time favorites. There many Rolleicords around so spares are not an issue.

I have used both plus my staple Rolleiflex 3.5F. My vote will emphatically go to Autocord, it is just faster to shoot with. In the end I sold the Autocord, because it is so close to my Rolleiflex that I feel there is little differentiation. That is a high praise for the Autocord!

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